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As over 900 participants prepare to travel to our World Economic Forum on Africa, which begins next Wednesday in Abuja, here’s a quick reading list to bring you up to speed on some of the issues we’ll be discussing.

Africa’s economy

Africa is refuting the usual economic pessimism. The real story is rather different: It includes the stuttering spread of democracy, impressive economic growth and a continent that now has more people who are overweight than go to bed hungry each night. There’s more detail, country by country, in the Forum’s Africa Competitiveness Report.

How can Africa develop its infrastructure? Governments need the right tools to attract investors.

East Africa’s new great oil game. With new railways and road networks, together with new pipelines and electric power grids, East African nations are forging political alliances that will allow them to reshape the region.

How Nigeria’s economy grew 89% overnight. Explaining April’s GDPrecalculation, which made the country Africa’s biggest economy.

Africa and the world

China’s presence in Africa.Not as big as you might expect: “China’s investment in and trade with Africa represents 3 percent and 5 percent of its global investment and trade respectively.” Germany could help Africa’s industrialization, but for Europe generally the relationship is shifting from aid to trade, and Russia is reasserting its role in the region.

Indian exports to West Africa hit a record high. They are up 22 percent this year. But until 1999 India’s trade with Africa exceeded China’s.

All opinions expressed are those of the author. The World Economic Forum Blog is an independent and neutral platform dedicated to generating debate around the key topics that shape global, regional and industry agendas.